For the past few weeks, I have been trying to help my 65 year old mother-in-law learn how to use a computer for the first time. This can be a trying situation for the 'teacher', and a frustrating situation for the 'teachee.' I admit to not being the most patient computer teacher.

Little did I know, I had the perfect tool already sitting here on my desk! Boy, could I have kicked myself! I am taking this program over to her house the minute I am done here!

Pop in the CD, and the program starts itself (a nice feature for the true novice!) There are no complex menus to figure out, and nothing tricky about running the program at all. Choose the first lesson and start learning. The philosophy is to "see it, hear it, and do it." The "do it" part is what I find so often missing. Once you have had a small demonstration of dragging and dropping, for example, it is your turn to drag and drop small shapes around the screen. Your kids will learn the basic principles of computer use by actually using their new skills.

While the first level may be much too basic for many, each succesive level teaches more complex skills. The Goldfish level starts with simply moving the mouse around, and turning your computer on. By the time you get to the shark level you will be learning to use spreadsheets and beginning web design.

This is a great software series, and one I would recommend highly to anyone trying to find their way through the sometimes unforgiving world of computing.

The Aunt Ellen Learning System site is easy to navigate, and I'm sure you will find just the right program for your needs by visiting at: http://www.auntellen.com

 

 

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